Automatic feeding device and fixtures.



No. 756,765. I V .PATENTED APR. 5, 1904. Z. XEVERS.

AUTOMATIC FEEDING DEVICE AND FIXTURES. Arrmonqon rum) mm. 1B. 1903.

N0 MODEL. 2 BHEBTBBHEET 1..

Iii n a x 11v VENTOH Z. Xevers.

PATENTBD 'APR. 5, 1904. z. XEVBRS. AUTOMATIC FEEDING DEVICE AND FlXTURES.

APPLICATION FILED MAR. 18, 1903.

2 SHEETS-SHEET 2.

N0 MODEL.

I llllll 1\ m INVENTOR Z X avers.

WITNES'SES: V m

are. 756,765,

Unwrap STArEs Patented April 5, 1904.

tint PATENT AuTomATio FEEDING DEVICE AND FIXTURES.

1,-smmcmon forming arser Letters Patent No. 756,765, aatea np rii d904,,

Application filed March 18, 1903.

roan" rah/0m it may concern:

Be it known that I, ZACHARIAH XEVERS, a

, citizen of the United States, residing at Santa of sing operated by the difl'erent animals which are intended being fed.

My invention-in its generic sense embodies a receptacle or hopper into which the grain is placed and 'a gate mechanism attached to the receptacle or hopper to allow the grain to pass from the hopper at predetermined times and in-predetermined quantities, said gate being operated by the animal desiringto be fed.

vInfits complete make-up the invention embodies certain novel construction of parts,

which will be described in detail and then specifically pointed out in the appended claims,

reference being had to the accompanying drawings, in wh1c h Figure 1 is aperspective view showing my invention as applied for use as poultry-feediHgLdeViCe, parts being broken away. Fig. 2

is a vertical longitudinal s tion thereof. Fig,

3is 'a'crosssection taken p. actically on the line 3 ot Fig. 2. Fig. 4 is a detail vertical longitudinal,section of a slightly-modifiedform of my; invention. Fig. 5 is a detail cross-sectiononithe line 5 5 of Fig. 4. Fig. 6 is a detail view of the gate shown in Fig. 4. Fig. 7 is a perspective view of a slightly-modified form of the swing-rod and bait-cup hereinafter referred to, and Figs. 8, 9, and 10 are detail viewsof the modified forms of the regulator devices hereinafter referred to.

Reference being had to the accompanying Tdrawings, in which like numerals and letters of reference indicate like parts in all of the Serialilo.148,386. (Nomodeh) :zi w

figures, 1 designates a receptacle' or fhopper 5c mounted upon suitable'legs I, whichniayhe of any approved form, shapelhrstylef dd sired; In Fig. 1 I have showna receptacle or hopper as being in the nat'urejof abu'cket. However, tie nature and s'tyleof receptacle may be varied withoutdeparting lrorrr 'the scope of my invention. Referring now-more particula'izly toFigsQ-l, 2, and 33, inclusive, itwi'll be seen thtttI provide a gate mechanism (designated generally by'Gj) consisting of a baseplate .r adapted be bolted or otherwise securedover a'siiitable opening in the bottom'ofthe gi-ainholding receptacle and upon which is fixedlyfmounted a hood, l\-shaped in verticalcros's sectijomand said hood in the form shown in Figsfl fQ, and 3 is closed at the-ends; y designates fa slotway in the base 9, for a purp se-pre ently to appear. Upon the undersi'deof the-base plate is mounted to slide, in suitable 'guides 3 7c the gate 4, having an apert l'iief 4, through i which is adapted to pass wliat "I"ter rn"the swing rod or bar 5, which passesup hre h the slotway g in the base-plate amnesia crumed within the hood upon the b'olt5 l,fpass ing through the. hood and the end ofith'e swjin M rod or bar 5, whereby the said tied to swing upon the bolt 5 and p'e" e th 4, as will presentl'yappeai':

In the form shown inFigsTLfQ, ndlfi the hood H is entirely closed atthe d e a grain is dischargedthroughfaj1pple a opening g in the base-plate g'ywhichsopen -ing is closed by the g'ate"f4, sli dable"ihftlie guideway 3., and in this form t e geese-ifs in; 5

the nature of a fiat membei wtiehse ve te close the opening g at alltirnes maternall I close the discharge opening "g Loosely: mounted upon the swingrod "orba rfhfwithi rf the hood H and projected.throughf'thi el 4 o gated apertures it h in the end facejoifjthcj 1 H is What I term an agitate "I 6,'haviI'-1g I shaped ends 6 6, as shownffi Figs, and 2. ,"i Upon the lower end of the swings-dd orbs-r5;

is mounted a bait-holding receptacle may be in the natilre of. theelongated member p I 7, having bait-holding pockets] Th7, 'c'oWired by a wire screen 7 for the rece pt gram or',

other suitable bait, or it may be in the nature of a cup-shaped device, as shown in Fig. 7.

I have shown a slightly-modified form of my invention in igs. 4, .5, and 6, by reference e seenthe opening or slotto which it will way is closed by the gate 4, which consists of the semiovlindrical member. (Shown in detail in Fig. 6.)

In the form shown in Fig. 4 no agitat'or is necessary, since the swing rod or bar 5 serves to sufiicicntly agitate the grain to prevent bridging and clogging the opening g In the form shown in Figs. 1, 2, and 3 by constructing the agitator so as to move with the swing rod or bar 5 the grain within the receptacle will be prevented from bridging the discharge-opening g and thereby assuring a positive feed of the grain through the opening as the gate is reciprocated. 10 designates a suitable regulator, which in the preferred construction consists of the body portion 10, adapted to take around the swingrod 5, and the said regulator is held in its adv justed position by a th umb-screw 10 Formed integral with the body portion '10 of the ulator 10 and projected upwardly anddivergingly are two arms 10 10", which as t-he bar swings out of its vertical position in a pendulum movement alternately engage the under side of the plate 9, and thereby regulate the swing of the bar 5 to allow the gate being reciprocated to a greater-or lesser extent, as desired.

I11 Fig. 8 I have shown a slightly-modified form of regulator, in which the body portion 10 is formed with a rack portion 10, with which engages a catch 10 pivotally fastened to the bar 5.

In Figs. 9 and 10 I have illustrated a further modification of regulator device in which the body portion 10 is formed with a double rack 10 with which engages a catch member 10, rigidly fastened to the bar 5, and the body portion 10 has in its front face a slotway 10, through which and the bar 5 is adapted to pass a bolt 10 fastened with a thumb-screw to hold the regulator to its adjusted position. In the form shown in Figs. 8. 9, and 10 I dispense with one of the arms 10".

When applied to cattle and hog feeders, I may, to direct the grain to the place desired as it leaves the hopper, provide a suitable chute, (not shown,) and while I prefer to use a chute, yet I desire itunderstood that the same may be entirely dispensed with, or I may provide a swing-bar consisting of a flat portion to which is fastened a tubular member 11 having a pan 11" at its upper end and a bait-holding cup 11 at its lower end. The pan l1 serves to catch the grain and discharge it into the cup 11", from which it will overflow and be deposited upon the ground or into any suitable receptacle which may be provided therefor.

So far as describedthe operation of my inj vention' as applied to poultry-feeders is best explained as follows: Referring now more particularly to Figs. 1, 2, and 3, it will be seen that as the fowl or animal attempts to get the bait in the bait-holding receptacle 7 it will 'cause the rod 3 to leave its vertical position, carrying with it the" gate 4, causing it to discharge the grain broadcast. As soon as the fowl or animal leaves the bait-receptacle 7 the rod 5 will again return to its vertical position, 'carrying with it the gate, and thereby stopping the discharge of the grain. ing the regulator up or down upon the rod 3 the extent to which the grain is discharged can be regulated at will.

In Fig. 4 I have shown the cup-shaped receptacle 11 and the discharge-tube 11 with its bait-cup 11, and while I may use this form of my invention in connection with stock and poultry feeding mechanism in general, yet it is more especially adapted for use when the invention is used for feeding hogs, geese, ducks, rabbits, and the like. The animal desiring to be fed will endeavor to get the bait out of the cup l1 and in so doing will cause the swing-rod to leave its vertical position, as aforementioned, reciprocating the gate 4 and allowing the 'grain to fall into the receptacle 11 and from thence to the bait-cup 11,-0verflowing said bait-cup'and falling to the ground or into any desired receptacle. 7

While 1 have described the different forms of feedingmechanisms shown in the drawings as adapted for use for specific purposes, yet I desire it understood that the diflerent forms may be used interchangeably, if desired; neither do I limit myself to the exact structure set out in the specification and shown in changes in the arrangement of parts may be appended claims.

. Having thus described my invention, what I claim, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, 1s I 1. In a device as described, a grain-receiving member having an opening in the bottom thereof, a plate adapted to be fastened over said opening said plate having a discharge-'- aperture, a gate having an aperture for controlling said discharge-aperture, a hood mountmember, a swing-lever fulcrumed within said hood and passing downward through the apei ture in said gate member for the purposes specified.

2. In a device as described, a grain-receiving member, having an opening in the bottom said opening said plate having a dischargeaperture, a gatehaving an aperture for controlling said discharge-aperture, a hood mounted upon said-plate within the grain-receiving member, a swing-lever fulcrumed within said hood and passing downward through the aper- By ad3'ust-.

the drawings, since it is obvious that slightv foo made without departing from the scope of the ed upon said plate within the grain-receiving thereof, a plate adapted to be fastened. over.

ture in said gate member, an agitator mounted upon the swing-rod above the gate, for the purposes specified.

3. In a device as described, agrain-receiving member, having an opening in the bottom thereof, a plate adapted to be fastened over said opening said plate having a dischargeaperture, a gate having an aperture for controlling said discharge-aperture, a hood mounted upon said plate within the grain-receiving member, a swing-lever fulcrumed wi hin said hood and passing downward through the aperture in said gate member, a regulator mounted upon said swing-rod below the gate for controlling the movement of the swing-rod substantially as shown and described.

4. In a device as described, a grain-receiving member having an opening in the bottom thereof, and plate adapted to be fastened over said opening said plate having a dischargeaperture, a gate having an aperture for controlling said dischargeeaperture, a hood mounted upon said plate within the grain-receiving member, a swing-rod fulcrumed within said hood and passing downward through the aperture in said gate member, a regulator mounted upon said swing-rod below the gate for c0ntrolling the movement of the swing-rod, an agitator mounted upon said rod above the gate as shown and for the purposes described.

5. In a feeding device as described, a foodreceiving hopper having a discharge-opening, gate devices for controlling said dischargeopening, said gate devices including a swingrod, a regulator ad justably mounted upon said swing-rod as and for the purposes described.

6. In a feeding device as described, a foodreceiving hopper having a discharge-opening, gate devices for controlling said dischargeopening, said gate devices including a swingrod, a regulator adjustably mounted upon said swing-rod, said regulator including a projecting arm, adapted to engage the under side of the gate devices as the swing-rod moves from its vertical position for the purposes specified.

7. In a feeding device as described, a grainholding receptacle having an opening in the bottom thereof, a plate adapted to be fastened over said opening, said plate having a discharge-opening and an elongated aperture, a hood over said aperture, a swing rod or lever fulcrumed within the hood and passing through said elongated aperture, a gate controlled by said swing-lever for closing the discharge-opening substantially as and for the purposes specified;

8. In a feeding device as described, a grainholding receptacle having an opening in the bottom thereof, a plate adapted to be fastened over said opening, said plate having a discharge-opening and an elongated aperture, a hood-over said aperture, a swing rod or lever fulcrumed within the hood and passing through said elongated aperture, a gate controlled by said swing-lever for closing .the dis charge-opening, an agitator mounted upon the swing-rod above the lasmi s-bathegrain is prevented from bridging" thefdischargm opening, substantially as and for the purpbses' described,

9. In a feeding device as describedya-gram 9 holding receptacle havingan opening in the bottom thereof, a plate ada'pted to befast'ened;

over said opening, said 'plate haviiig a dis'f" charge-opening and an elongated'apertiir'e} a hood over said aperturegaswing'rod pale ver fulcrumed within'the hood' and passing having an aperture, said grain-receiver having a second opening therein, a closed hood mounted over sald second opening, and wlthln the grain-receiver, a rod or bar pendent through said second opening and said aperture inthe gate, said rod beingfulcrumed at its upper end within the hood, and carrying at its lower end abait-receiver, a regulator adjustably mounted upon said rod or bar below the gate to regulate the swing of said bar, and an agitator mounted upon said bar within the grainreceiver all being so arranged that the swing movement of the bar will operate the gate and agitator to permit of the discharge of grain.

11. A discharge mechanism for feedirigdevices, comprising a base-plate having a discharge-opening therein, a hood mounted upon one side of said base-plate, a guid ewayfixedly secured upon the other side of said base-plate, a gate adapted to slide in said guideway, an agitator having an aperture and being mounted upon said hood, a' rod or bar pendently mounted within the aforesaid hood, and projecting downward through the aperture in the agitator and base-plate, a regulator mounted upon said rod below the gate, a bait-holder secured to the lower end of said bar or rod, said bait-holder including a bait-receiving portion, all being arranged in a manner whereby the bar will receive a pendulum movement lgy the efforts of the fowl or animal to getthe ait.

12. The discharge mechanism for feeding devices, comprising a base portion 9 having a discharge-opening g therein, ahoodH mounted upon the upper side of the said base portion, a guideway 4 fixedly secured upon the under side of said base plate g, a gate 4 adapted to slidein said guideway and close said discharge-opening g an agitator 6 mounted upon said hood H, a rod or bar 5 pivotally secured within the hood H, and projecting downwardly through the apertures in the agitator 6 base-plate g and gate 4:, said agitator being adapted for reciprocating motion in 5 ahorizontal plane, a regulator 10 mounted upon said rod 5 below the gate 4 and baseplate 9, the bait-holder 7 secured to the lower end of said bar or rod 5, said bait-holder including a bait-receiving portion, all being arranged in a manner whereby the bar or rod will're'c eive a pendentmovernent by the efforts of the fowl or animal desiring to be fed.

13. In a device of the character described, an apertured base-plate including an' elongated aperture, a hood mounted upon the base-plate over the elongated aperture, a swing-rod fulcrumed within the hood and passing through the elongated aperture, in the base-plate, and a gate, controlled by the movement of the swingrod, substantiallyas shown and described.

- ZACHARIAH XEV'ERS.

Witnesses:

ANDREW FULL, FRED. WALTERS. 

